Winter Gathering

[Gris]

OK, i will fly up & bring my hot licks - both the sauce and the gitar kind. But only if SK grabs me from Manchestah Int'l on his way and i get shelter from the storm...

has anyone alerted the Shizz-mobile burger extravanganza...?

edit PS - Caveman you will live to regret this weekend - ya got the whole animal house comin...

 

[KenG]

yee haw, sounds like a jam session!

 

[giggy]

sounds good to me... I might even hike. how far is smuggs notch from you?

 

[SteveHiker]

just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in, since you're all talking about invading my hometown. At least after this, none of you will be able to say "never heard of it", when I say where I'm from.

The closest 4k is Killington and it's at least a half hour away. The Sugarbush pair is more like an hour and a half, Camel's Hump and Mansfield are further. But there's plenty of smaller stuff close by, and none of you are into lists anyway, right?

Also beware of Ludlow between 4:30 and 5:30 in the afternoon. When the ski area lets out you can't get thru there fast. There's only one main road thru there. I know lots of shortcuts, if anyone's interested. (hint don't always trust DeLorme or Mapquest)

I'd also suggest that if you think you want a hotel, book quick. Holiday weekends fill up fast. Probably the least expensive near by is the Cavendish Pointe at the junction of 103 and 131. I think it's a Comfort Inn now.

 

[timmus]

I'm planning to go, but Steve, you GOTTA keep the Tequila AWAY from me

And Killington will put me 5/5 for VT, so it sounds perfect for me.

 

[Toe Cozy]

Sissy winter hiker in for this one!

Sounds pretty enticing. Seeing how I live about 20 mintues away in lovely Springfield, VT I may join in various festivities. Won't be campin' out tho, that's for damn sure! However, I'd be up for maybe some winter hiking and definitely hanging out by a fire pit. Pig on a stick...those pictures made me consider going veg again!!!! ewwww..... And I'll take the tequilla that timmus doesn't want! Of course then I'll have to bring the DD along for the fun too...(that's my husband). He plays the guitar. both kinds - metal and heavy metal. (just kidding) he's always looking for jamming opportunities. Is jamming encouraged?

 

[KenG]

I most certinly hope so!

 

[Mad Townie]

On the hiking side..... I would love to do Abraham, Ellen, and a bunch of other Vermont peaks.

Freddy, I'm with you. I "need" Abe, Ellen and Killington. Just got a big honkin' winter pack--almost big enough for the keyboards!

I can sleep outdoors, but the keys will need the warmth. Let's see, hiking, music, food . . . sleep? Naahhh!

 

[ChrisB]

On the hiking side..... I would love to do Abraham, Ellen, and a bunch of other Vermont peaks. Thanks for offering your place, Caveman!

Hey Fred,

I am up for some VT 4ks. Maybe we can converge Wed/Thur and get some hiking in pre-Gathering?

cb

 

[coldfeet]

Honey, i'm going out to the store for some Vermont maple syrup....um....don't wait up for me..

 

[Toe Cozy]

Honey, i'm going out to the store for some Vermont maple syrup....um....don't wait up for me..

This is the best! I think you should contact the VT maple syrup coucil (there must be such a thing, right?) and then they can record you saying that and driving up through the snowy winter to some crazy hick's place in the middle of godforsaken nowhere (no offense UFC..I live here too) where there's a pig on a stick, a bunch of drunk revelers, tents, music, snowshoes and crampons sticking out of snowbanks, etc. You get the picture. And then in the dark of 3 a.m. in a crowd of passed out, snoring people, you sneak to where the food is and steal away with the large gallon tin of VT maple syrup. End the commercial with you making pancakes for your wife and kids the next a.m. barely able to stay awake...them, none the wiser.

Yeah, that would be fantastic.

 

[sli74]

This is the best! I think you should contact the VT maple syrup coucil (there must be such a thing, right?) and then they can record you saying that and driving up through the snowy winter to some crazy hick's place in the middle of godforsaken nowhere (no offense UFC..I live here too) where there's a pig on a stick, a bunch of drunk revelers, tents, music, snowshoes and crampons sticking out of snowbanks, etc. You get the picture. And then in the dark of 3 a.m. in a crowd of passed out, snoring people, you sneak to where the food is and steal away with the large gallon tin of VT maple syrup. End the commercial with you making pancakes for your wife and kids the next a.m. barely able to stay awake...them, none the wiser.

Yeah, that would be fantastic.

Have you already been indulging in said Tequila that Timmus turned down???


sli74

 

[funkyfreddy]

Freddy, I'm with you. I "need" Abe, Ellen and Killington. Just got a big honkin' winter pack--almost big enough for the keyboards!

I can sleep outdoors, but the keys will need the warmth. Let's see, hiking, music, food . . . sleep? Naahhh!

Hey Fred,

I am up for some VT 4ks. Maybe we can converge Wed/Thur and get some hiking in pre-Gathering?

cb

I would be up Abe, Ellen, Killington, as well as most of the Vermont peaks on the NE HH. CB, going up early might be a good idea. I've always wanted to do more hiking in Vermont. Sounds like group trips are in order to these mountains.

 

[Frodo]

I'm game! Winter in VT is awesome!

UFC, we had last winters gathering at GO's in Maine and we only ended up burning down his kitchen and bathroom (he didn't really need them anyway..)

All kidding aside, we might like to hike, climb, ski, and party, but we are always respectfull...

Thanks for inviting this motley croo!

 

[UNFROZENCAVEMAN]

Wow, how quickly I got behind......

......how far is smuggs notch from you?

too far...about 120 miles, 2-1/2 hours

The closest 4k is Killington and it's at least a half hour away. The Sugarbush pair is more like an hour and a half, Camel's Hump and Mansfield are further. But there's plenty of smaller stuff close by, and none of you are into lists anyway, right?

Also beware of Ludlow between 4:30 and 5:30 in the afternoon. When the ski area lets out you can't get thru there fast. There's only one main road thru there. I know lots of shortcuts, if anyone's interested. (hint don't always trust DeLorme or Mapquest)

I'd also suggest that if you think you want a hotel, book quick. Holiday weekends fill up fast. Probably the least expensive near by is the Cavendish Pointe at the junction of 103 and 131. I think it's a Comfort Inn now.

All excellent points above, yes reservations should be booked early, I'll look up some phone #'s and post later, the Cavendish point is about 1 mile from my house and they might have a shuttle available. I too know many a shortcut to avoid Ludlow and you'll get to see the more scenic places! Also regarding hiking a list:
1) Pico and Mendon (NE100 Highest) are also close to Killington (NE & VT 4k) - all three can be done in a day
2) Dorset Peak and Equinox (NE100 Highest) are under an hours drive and can both be done in a day
3) Stratton (NE100 Highest) is about an hours drive
4) Breadloaf & Wilson (NE100 Highest) are around an hours drive and can be done in a day
5) Mt. Ellen & Mt. Abraham (NE & VT 4K) are a little over an hours drive and can be done in a day
The other stuff is probably too far to be reasonable but there is Okemo (about 15 minutes to the backside) and Ascutney (15-25 minutes depending on the chosen route) that offer exceptional views from firetowers, both around 6 miles total (read: short and sweet or family friendly if you like ) Also, I am backed up to the Proctor Piper State Forest where there are a whole bunch of old logging roads and the VAST snowmobile trail to romp around on. And come to think of it, Okemo has cross country ski trails at Fox Run which is their golf course in the summer.

.....Steve, you GOTTA keep the Tequila AWAY from me

Not a chance Julie!

......Is jamming encouraged?

ABSOLUTELY! We can set up the band inside so "players" and their "equipment" will be warm and those that wish to jam by the fire late night or between sets are more than welcome to do so.

....Winter in VT is awesome!!

Yes it is!

.....we only ended up burning down his kitchen and bathroom......

No worries, it's a rental and I've got insurance

 

[una_dogger]

The other thing to maybe consider about Abe/Ellen & Breadloaf/Wilson is mid January the Lincoln Gap Rd and the USFS Rd (for Breadloaf) parking areas and a good section of the roads will be closed by then, so approaches will be longer.

FWIW, it takes me about an hour to get from Rutland to those trailheads, so -- depending on your driving of course!--they may be more like an hour and a half from UFCs. (Or maybe I just drive slow!)

 

[MichaelJ]

I will be there, though not camping. I'd love to hike one day and downhill ski the next!

I'm tempted by the idea of skiing Okemo, having only skied the bunny hill there once 8 years ago, but can I convince anyone to ski nearby Killington or Pico instead?*

I'd be up for most hikes, though I'd be partial to any NEHH's I haven't done yet.



[size=-2]*I have a pass for K/P, but Okemo would be $72.[/size]

 

[KenG]

MichaelJ,

I'll be skiing Pico/Killington. Okemo's kinda tame, a great cruisin' area though!

Ken

 

[Jay H]

If I'm free that weekend, I'll try to be there.. The only peak I've hiked in VT is Equinox with Dr Wu one winter ago...

Jay

 

[sli74]

[size=-2]*I have a pass for K/P, but Okemo would be $72.[/size]

Remember that MLK weekend is blackout dates for us bronze pass holders.

I will likely hike Killington, Pico and Mendon and maybe Abraham and Ellen depending on the approach . . .

What are the rules for hiking up Ellen via the ski area ??

sli74